I grew up in a family that loved trivia. Every Sunday when I was a kid, we would eat breakfast together and complete the trivia questions in the newspaper. It felt great when I got an answer right.
At high school in the 90s, there was a competition in Québec called Génies en herbe, where school teams competed in trivia tournaments. It was like the Olympics for trivia nerds. I loved everything about it. I joined the team in my first year and instantly thought: these are my people. I loved learning new things, as well as the fast-paced competitions.
In 1996, during my last year of high school, we qualified for the televised tournament in Québec City. It felt like a really big deal. I was nervous – there was pressure because I was the best scorer on my team. We were knocked out in the first round. I was really disappointed and frustrated at first – I thought the other team had easier questions. Then I remembered I was doing something I loved with my friends.
Four years later, I was living in the suburbs of Montreal and watching a TV gameshow, and I saw that they were looking for contestants. The show was focused on French language and grammar, which I was studying at the time. Contestants got a trip to Ottawa with all expenses paid, so a friend and I applied. One phone audition later and we were picked.
It was so exciting to be on set, answering quickfire questions about tricky French grammar. I didn’t care about being on TV or the four dictionaries that I took home when I won. It was just such an adrenaline rush to hit that buzzer and get the answers right.
There was a gameshow craze sweeping the country, and it seemed as if every channel was trying to find the next big hit. I applied for as many as I could, and as a young woman in a world where most contestants were older men, I stood out. I suspect that some of them underestimated me. But I proved myself every time.
Most were general knowledge trivia shows. I never studied in advance, but I loved strategising. I’d watch as many episodes as I could, learning the kind of questions that might come up and analysing the format of each show. I’ve won nine shows, and scored highly on seven more. I usually manage to leave with some sort of prize – I’ve gone home empty-handed only six times.
The largest amount I’ve won is C$10,000 (£5,730) and in total I’ve won C$52,000. But money is never my motivation. Once I won C$2 and kept the cheque as a souvenir.
My family got involved too – I’ve competed with both my sisters. Once we got into hysterics while answering questions on a show. My grandma watches me every time. As soon as the credits roll, my phone will ring. If I’ve won, she’ll tell me I was good. If I lose, she will say that I was pretty.
Most contestants are great, but once my sister and I overheard the other team arguing with the crew that the match was unfair, and that they didn’t want to play against us. We had to share lunch with them. It was one of the most awkward meals of my life. They did win the next game, but that didn’t change their sour faces.
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Very occasionally, a show will get things wrong. I was returning champion on a current events quizshow, and doing great until a question about a train derailment. I was confident that I knew it, but when the host read the possible answers, mine wasn’t there. My opponent won by small margin. A few days later there happened to be a newspaper article about the incident and I realised I was right. I decided to call the contestant coordinator. They allowed me back on and I won a few more games.
I’ve been on 25 gameshows. I’d love to be on more, but the industry has changed, moving away from general knowledge to entertainment and celebrities. Being a serial quizzer has also made it harder to get chosen.
To other wannabe contestants, I’d say you need a good memory and curiosity. Be interested in everything. And show your personality at auditions. It will help you stand out. If you make it on air, just enjoy it. Given the chance, I’d be back at the buzzer like a shot.
As told to Kate Graham
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